4. Samuel Jefferson Adair

My ancestor Samuel Jefferson Adair was a native of the South, born in South Carolina in 1806. He is my 5th great grandfather on my mother's side. Samuel was married to Gemima Mangum and living in in Mississippi with their five children when they became members of the church in 1845. Though they moved to Nauvoo shortly after, they had to leave a year later during the winter. During this winter in Iowa, many died due to bad conditions, including Samuel's wife Gemima and three of their children. I can't imagine this being an easy time for Samuel or the rest of his family.

Samuel Jefferson Adair

He left with the group in 1852 for Utah in a large company of Mormons. Before leaving, he took in David L. Sechrist, an orphaned child. While on the plains, he miraculously saved two more orphaned children. Ann Catherine Chestnut, and brother, Alfred Chestnut, were traveling with their parents across the plains when the two men that their father had hired to work the horses murdered their parents. They stole the wagon but spared the children's lives, tying them to a cow and leaving them to wander. Samuel Adair found the children and took them in. He raised them from that point as his own.

After making it to Salt Lake, Samuel Adair was called to settle the southwest part of the state and grow cotton with other Southerners. Samuel led a total of 10 families to 'Dixie' in 1857.

Samuel Adair's daughter, Permilia with her husband

"In May 1857, they met with the Covington group at what is now called Adair Springs and laid out the town of Washington, naming it after President George Washington. Samuel and his family resided in Washington for 20 years. During this time they called the area "Dixie" after their southern homeland.
One of his last statements to his children and friends was that he never raised his voice against the authorities of his church; neither did he fail to fill any mission to which he had been called. He died as he lived, a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Family Search). 

The Southern members were sent to farm cotton in order to make money and help the church become more self-sustaining and independent. This was in accordance with the law of consecration. I think it is interesting how Brigham Young and the church used people's different talents and abilities to build the church. Giving your talents and your tithes to the church is part of the law of consecration. It was needed in these times in order to keep the isolated Mormon's self-sufficient.

Works Cited 

Free Family History and Genealogy Records - FamilySearch.org. Family Search, n.d. Web. <https://familysearch.org/tree/person/KWJ6-HKC/memories>.

"Samuel Jefferson Adair from the Web." Free Family History and Genealogy Records - FamilySearch.org. Family Search, n.d. Web. <https://familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/3143778?returnLabel=Samuel%2BJefferson%2BAdair%2B%28KWJ6-HKC%29&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Ftree%2Fperson%2FKWJ6-HKC%2Fmemories>.

"Notes and Stories - Samuel Jefferson Adair." Free Family History and Genealogy Records - FamilySearch.org. Family Search, n.d. Web. <https://familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/7292818?returnLabel=Samuel%2BJefferson%2BAdair%2B%28KWJ6-HKC%29&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Ftree%2Fperson%2FKWJ6-HKC%2Fmemories>.